3 Smoky Mountain Activities to Try During the Winter

We know you’re counting down the months until rafting season begins – we can’t wait either! Luckily though, the Smoky Mountains are filled with fun things to do all year long! We’ve come up with 3 Smoky Mountain activities for you to try in the winter to help pass the time until you and your family’s white water rafting trip.

1. Hiking

Hiking in the Smoky Mountains is a wonderful experience all throughout the year, but there’s something special about hiking during the winter. It’s peaceful, fun and offers breathtaking views! You’ll have the chance to see frozen waterfalls, icicles, snow-covered mountaintops, and so much more. There are plenty of kid-friendly trails, making it a perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy together! So bundle up, lace up your hiking boots and get ready for a winter hike in the Smoky Mountains that you’ll never forget.

2. Explore Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is bustling with excitement during the winter. There are plenty of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy to pass the time until you can go rafting again! Drive around and see all the beautiful sights, or go skiing and snow tubing. Whatever you decide to do, your family will love being able to spend some time exploring Gatlinburg. After a day of fun in the snow, head downtown to for a warm meal at one of the many delicious dining options in Gatlinburg, or go shopping and find the perfect souvenir to take back home. If you want to escape the cold, there are plenty of fun indoor activities like mini golf, ice skating or visiting Ripley’s Aquarium. It’s also the perfect time to scope out new things you want to try when you come back in the spring for your rafting trip!

3. Plan Your Trip

It’s never too soon to start planning your rafting trip with us! Planning your trip early guarantees you’ll be able to spend the time you want on the river. The winter is the best time to plan the perfect rafting trip. You can decide which rafting trip will fit your family the best, from a thrilling ride on the Upper Pigeon River, to a more relaxing ride on the Lower Pigeon River. You can also browse through our different whitewater rafting packages and plan a zip lining and rafting combo trip your family will love! And for the ultimate Smoky Mountain vacation, you can spend your nights underneath the stars camping! Pigeon River Campground is just minutes away and has campsites, RV campsites and camping cabins for whatever best fits your family’s camping style. Planning your trip will get you even more excited for the offseason to end, and will help pass the time until you’re hitting the rapids.

Time flies when you’re having fun, so when you try these Smoky Mountain activities during the winter, rafting season will be here in no time! Check out the variety of whitewater rafting trips we offer and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime.